How likely am I to be injured in a fall at a retail workplace?

If you are employed in a retail or wholesale environment, you might assume that your workplace is relatively safe compared to more hazardous situations. However, injuries resulting from slips-and-falls are quite common in these working environments, which means that as a Pennsylvania worker, you may be more at risk then you think.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers insight into the increased rates of injuries related to falls in retail/wholesale workplaces. There are numerous medical ramifications associated with such injuries, some of which can have very serious consequences. For instance, falls can result in fractures and sprains, head/brain injuries and may even lead to death in extreme cases. When it comes to lost days of work in retail and wholesale spaces, injuries involving slips-and-falls are counted as the second most common cause. In general working environments, these incidents are the third most likely reason for time missed from work.

Risk factors unique to these environments often contribute to your chance of accidents, such as liquid spills on already slick surfaces that can lead to a fall. Stacking boxes and containers in an unsafe manner can also contribute to an increase risk of accidents in the workplace. This could be a matter of you falling as you attempt to access a box out of reach, or having your vision obscured as you make your way around your place of work.

Other risk factors associated with slips-and-falls include inclement weather conditions (such as rain and snow) being tracked inside a building and poor walking surfaces requiring repair. Your behavior can also play a role in accidents in the workplace. For instance, inappropriate footwear often leads to many incidents, as can fatigue brought on by an increased pace of work.

In the event you suffer from an injury resulting from a fall in the workplace, your best option is to contact an attorney with a background in personal injury. The right attorney will help you navigate the legal process, thereby improving your chances of a successful outcome.

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